Legal Status of Student Enrollment and Fee Collection: Under Which Categories Can Fees Be Charged?

The Ministry of Education has declared that student enrollment and fee collection by schools before the start of the 2083 academic session is illegal. Following the government’s decision to begin the academic year on 15th Baisakh 2083, the ministry has also warned that schools which do not refund fees collected prematurely will face penalties. While private school operators claim they are collecting enrollment and fees only according to the set dates, the ministry has established a help desk to address related concerns. (March 25, Kathmandu)

Parents of students attending a private school in Kathmandu have expressed concerns, saying, “The academic session 2083 has not officially started yet, but the school has already issued invoices for the annual fees. Are we supposed to pay now?” This issue is not isolated, as many parents have received similar fee invoices. The Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology has stated that such fee collection is illegal.

The government has decided to commence the 2083 academic session from Baisakh 15. However, the ministry has cautioned that initiating student enrollment and sending fee invoices before the session begins will result in action against the schools involved. Ministry spokesperson Shivkumar Sapkota stated, “Such illegal activities in the respectful and responsible system of school management are not only inappropriate but punishable as well.”

Private school operators were preparing to start the new academic session from Baisakh 1, but after the government fixed the start date for Baisakh 15, they have halted the enrollment and fee collection processes. Suwas Nyaupane, president of the Nepal Private Schools Operation Association (NPABSON), confirmed that enrollment has been suspended following the recent government decision. The Ministry of Education clarified that violations of regulations could lead to fines up to NPR 25,000 as well as revocation of school licenses.

Additionally, the Ministry of Education has set up a help desk for complaints and grievances related to student fees. Director Nima Prakash Singh Rathour has been designated as the contact person for the help desk. According to regulations, fees can only be collected under 14 specific categories.